MX-3.com

@ matt: Car will be ready in a few days, definitely in time for MOM.

@ Lynch: The SS headers (same ones I have) fit. Some people say that they have a hard time getting one of the bolt holes to line up but it can be muscled in. I got mine used so I didn't have that problem, they fit perfectly. These and the PaceSetter headers are pretty much the only ones available for the K series, and the PaceSetters are the ones that aren't a direct bolt-in (you can see them earlier in my worklog). Mega Squirt will be happening in the future for sure. The auto-crossing was in Brampton.

Wow I've been having so much fun driving my MX-3 I totally forgot to post the latest updates! Lol.

Installing the B&M replica short shifter and new bushings. Comparison of the stock shifter vs. the short shifter. As you can see the pivot point is higher on the short shifter, which shortens the throw as well as shortens the actual length of the shifter above the mounting point.


New bushings on the 3rd link:


How it looks from underneath:


Next up are the brakes. Mine were in dire need of maintenance for quite some time. When I pulled off the pads they pretty much disintegrated into individual pieces. One of the pads didn't even stick to the mounting plate anymore.


The calipers taken apart for rebuilding:


I decided to go with Wagner Thermoquiet ceramic pads for a number of reasons: less heat, less dust, better braking, and less rotor wear.


The new rotors - Roto-Tech cross-drilled & slotted high performance rotors.


Calipers all cleaned up, painted, greased, and assembled with new pads:


Front brakes:


Rear brakes:


Getting the rad ready to be put in:


One of the rare things I managed to get my hands on over the winter is a set of glass EDM-spec H4 headlights. Had them shipped from Hungary of all places! Love the crystal-clear look ;D




At the same time I installed them with an 8000K HID kit.




A shot of the crank pulley (and a bit of spilled coolant, hehe):


I relocated the battery to the trunk so with the freed up space I decided to move my oil catch can to a different spot. I also installed an inline filter for the PCV valve to trap the last of the oil going back into the intake manifold.


Another shot:


All in all everything is great, it's smooth and runs mint like it should. I'm kind of surprised that I didn't run into any issues and that everything was done right from the first try; I guess I'm getting better at this lol. I have a video of the first startup that I still need to upload so I can post that later for you guys. Post up any questions or comments.

Looking badass, car looks amazing we should meet up sometime since were in the same general area. How do you find the new pulley and cool set of lights.

did you realize you have the leveling motor on the back of the passenger side headlamp?

Mooneggs wrote:did you realize you have the leveling motor on the back of the passenger side headlamp?

Lol you changed your post. Yeah I was gonna say it's only on the passenger headlamp which is kinda weird, but I don't plan on wiring it up anyway because once they're aimed I have no reason to touch the adjustors again.

bbunkerc397 wrote:Looking badass, car looks amazing we should meet up sometime since were in the same general area. How do you find the new pulley and cool set of lights.

Thanks man, the lights are awesome especially with the HID conversion. MX-3s look so much better simply without the hazy headlamps. As for the pulley it's pretty sweet, they engineered this thing perfectly - I don't have any overheating issues, no charging issues, steering feels the same; they made it just the right size as to free up some power but keep the accessories and driving feeling the same. Combined with the flywheel it revs so quick! It was weird driving it home for the first time, kind of had to get used it again. You have to shift quicker, it's harder to creep it in 1st, the throttle needs to be more precise especially with double clutching and rev matching. Definitely glad I did this mod. I need a better clutch now because it can't hold once I'm going to the max.

Here's a video of what the first startup was like, keep in mind this was like over a month ago. Check out the description for more info.

http://youtu.be/z25SOBDmLY4?hd=1

I might make some more videos that showcase my car, as well as some photos - it's been a while since I've done a photoshoot. Not to mention I have a few more upgrades in mind before the season ends so stay tuned!

Dig the car man. Love the shot of the discs. keep up the awesome work

Cool to see you're happy with the UDP. I was on the fence with one on my build.

Brakes look sweet!

Always been a fan of this car.

Vecia wrote:Dig the car man. Love the shot of the discs. keep up the awesome work

Thank you man, likewise with your build!

Ryan wrote:Cool to see you're happy with the UDP. I was on the fence with one on my build.

Brakes look sweet!

Always been a fan of this car.

Thanks man, pleasure to hear that. Yeah, I remember that thread.

Hey Igor, get a passport and we'll do the OCC Mazda meet next spring. Great job on the car, now if you come to my house again I won't need to TSP the oil spots on my driveway again when you leave.

Daninski wrote:Hey Igor, get a passport and we'll do the OCC Mazda meet next spring. Great job on the car, now if you come to my house again I won't need to TSP the oil spots on my driveway again when you leave.

I have a passport! How do you think I get in and out of this country? Lol. I'd love to do that meet, have to see if my finances will allow it though around that time.



So a few weeks ago I was at a local Mazda dealership and got them to do an inspection of my engine and write me a letter saying that it is indeed an engine that wasn't an option for the MX-3. I'm sure it made the day unique for all the techs, not a car they see too often - especially one this modified! They gathered around and looked, and I revved it a little for them on the way out ;D


Today I did my emission test. I passed of course, under the hot rod levels that Ontario allows for cars with swapped engines (hence the letter from Mazda). I did a regular test right before it just to see how I would do, and funny enough even with my Magnaflow high-flow catalytic coverter the only thing I failed was the NOx. That's how you know everything is running the way it should be. So if you have a ZE with an EGR hooked up or a good OEM catalytic there should be no reason for failing the test.

cars looking awesome! you have a working egr on your ze? did you modify the intake manifold or what?

mikeinaus wrote:cars looking awesome! you have a working egr on your ze? did you modify the intake manifold or what?

No man, read what I said. NOx was the only thing I failed under regular standards. I don't have an EGR hooked up and I never will - it reduces power. I was simply saying that a KLZE with a hooked-up EGR and/or a good catalytic should be able to pass an etest.

I passed emissions with both of my ZE's with no EGR and high flow cats

That's cool about the hot rod law though and getting the letter from Mazda!

westowne?